Coach Jagatic pays tribute to deceased footballer

He could have savored his team's victory. Instead, coach Miroslav Jagatic of BSG Chemie Leipzig made an impressive statement after the 1-0 away win at Chemnitzer FC in the Regionalliga Nordost. "This is a moment when you have to be careful. We often look back to the 60s and 70s and admire what people achieved back then. We are miles away from that today, whether at BSG Chemie, Chemnitzer FC or other traditional clubs," said Jagatic at the press conference.

The room fell silent and the Chemie coach continued: "In Fritz Feister, Chemnitz has lost a great footballer and, above all, a good person. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and wish them much strength in this difficult time. At the end of the day, despite all the competition, it's about more than soccer - it's about a person who lived and breathed soccer and to whom this club owes a great deal. That's why I would like to pay my respects to this person."

It was more than just a gesture from the visiting coach. It was also about values that sport can and should convey. As a result, the fifth CFC defeat in a row and the debut of new coach Benjamin Duda faded into the background. Four days earlier, GDR champion player Feister had passed away at the age of 81, and before kick-off, home and visiting fans, both teams and all support staff honored the deserving footballer and great human being with a minute's silence. Before kick-off, the stadium announcer paid tribute to the 1967 champion.